Adopting an active lifestyle and starting a fitness program are among the top resolutions people make for the new year. This year, Russellville residents may have even more motivation to get in shape — for the RussVegas Half Marathon in April. Race Director Chris Olson said he hopes the half marathon, Russellville’s first, will become an annual “festival-type” event.

“I’d eventually like it to be an all-weekend affair,” he said. “I’d like to have a full marathon in a few years.”

More than 1,000 people are expected to participate in the April race. Registration costs $50, and all proceeds go to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Racers from nine states have already registered. Of the registered racers, only 42 percent are from Russellville.

“It’s going to be great for the city,” Olson said.

The training program for the half marathon started today.

The 16-week training program costs $25 and is designed to help condition and prepare participants in the half marathon. People who struggle with two miles at the start of the program will be ready to walk or run the 13.1 miles in the half marathon by the end of the program, Olson said.

Participants will meet each Saturday at Saint Mary’s Wellness Fitness Center and will run together. Every few weeks, a guest speaker will address participants before the run on topics such as running equipment and injury prevention.

In addition to the group run, the program directs participants to run three times per week on their own. Olsen said people can register for the half marathon, which costs $50, up to a week before the event or until all slots are full. The cutoff to register for training is Jan. 18.

“After that, they would be too far behind,” Olson said.

For more information or to register for the race or training, visit www.russvegashalf.com.